Recruiting Report: Jacob Hobbs (2019)

Jacob Hobbs has been one of the biggest surprises of the Spring recruiting period in Kentucky. Jacob has had a very good spring playing with Manimal Elite and has established himself as a D2/NAIA player with offers from Campbellsville and Tusculum College. Hobbs has been invited to several D1 level elite camps this month and is yearning to establish himself as a D1 player with an offer from that level. When our rankings update, he is likely to be a top 20 player in the class with the potential to move up higher. I recently caught up with Hobbs to discuss his recruitment and high hopes for his Senior year at Central Hardin.

PHKY: Describe your game for people who may never have seen you play. What are your strengths? What do you need to improve?

JH: I am a long and athletic wing that works hard on both ends of the court. I am proficient with my mid range game and crash the boards offensively and defensively. In the gym I've been working to improve my ball handling and consistency with my three point shot.

PHKY: Reflect on your high school season. Were you happy with your individual performance? Were you happy with your team results?

JH: My Junior year we had a winning record and we also made it to the regional tournament. Considering we are a young team, this was encouraging and I look forward to having a more successful season my Senior year. Individually, I felt like I grew as a player and a leader on the court. I was voted a member of the 17th district all tournament team and I was named to the 5th region coaches association all region team.

PHKY: Who are you playing AAU with? How is your season going so far?

JH: I am playing AAU with Team Manimal Elite on the Adidas Gold Gauntlet. We have played tough competition and that has helped me improve my game and compete with the high level of play. We have beat some top teams in the Gauntlet and we look for continued success in July.

PHKY: What schools are recruiting you? Any offers? If you have offers, do you have a leader right now?

JH: I currently have offers from Campbellsville University and Tusculum University. I am being recruited by Liberty, Morehead State, Southern Illinois, Troy, Wofford, Wright State, Navy, Bellarmine, Thomas More and Pikeville.

PHKY: What can you take from your AAU season and apply to your next high school season?

JH: This AAU season has taught me to play with physicality and to be more aggressive. I have learned to create my own shots and how to defend all positions on the court.

PHKY: What are your goals for your next high school season?

JH: My goal for next year is to help lead my team to a regional championship and experience the Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena.

Jacob has a high ceiling. He is long and athletic with great size for either forward slot in college. As he improves his shooting, he can transition to play the wing full time in college. Manimal Elite 17u coach Maze Stallworth had high praise for Jacob, "The young man has gotten better each and every time he has stepped on the floor.Jacob brings toughness and athleticism into every game he plays. When Jacob starts to show more ability and put the ball on the floor and show he can put the ball on the floor he shows his potential is low-mid major. I believe every OVC school in Kentucky should be on him. I expect an offer to come soon for the young man."

Central Hardin coach Matt Nickell has high hopes for Jacob as a Senior leader, "I feel that Jacob is going to take the next step in his development as on of the best players in our region and state. The sky is the limit for him and I expect him to lead our team with his style of play, leadership skills and effort." Jacob Hobbs has been a well kept secret until now and with a big July of AAU he could wind up as the next player in Kentucky's 2019 class to earn a D1 offer.